Book Review: THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho
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A dream… My dream… Yes, you heard that right. One day, I will emerge as the winner of this challenging battle of life and clear every obstacle standing in the path of my dream.
But that’s all we often do—think. We fill our minds with thoughts like these but rarely take even a single step toward our dreams. And why is that? Because we fear struggle, fear failure, and worry about what others will say. That’s where it ends for many of us.
But what if you stopped worrying about failure? What if you set aside your shyness and faced the struggles head-on? True, you may not know if you’ll succeed or fail in the future. But if you never take that first step, you’ll never discover the remarkable journey waiting for you.
So, if you’re ready to take a chance, let the hero of The Alchemist, Santiago, guide you through his journey. He will show you what it truly means to follow your dream.
Key Details of THE ALCHEMIST
- Title: The Alchemist
- Author: Paulo Coelho
- Genre: Fiction
Summary of THE ALCHEMIST
This is the story of a shepherd boy named Santiago, who dares to follow his dream no matter the obstacles. It’s a tale of a boy who chooses to explore the world, walking a path different from the one his family envisioned for him. It’s a story of the struggles we all face in life, where we must decide whether to stand firm or step back.
In The Alchemist, author Paulo Coelho weaves a powerful narrative, showing readers what happens when you refuse to give up on your struggles and boldly pursue your dreams.
Key takeaways from THE ALCHEMIST
- We all have dreams, but many of us fail to take even a single step toward achieving them. It’s not that we lack courage—it’s often the fear of failure and the worry about others' reactions that hold us back. A battle rages within us, yet we forget that taking the first step is, in itself, winning half the battle.
- Santiago, the shepherd boy in The Alchemist, wrestled with these fears too. But in the end, he took that crucial first step. It wasn’t the end of his struggles; it was the beginning of a new phase, a new chapter in his life. And once he started, he never stopped. Santiago’s journey teaches us not to fear failure. After taking his first step, he lost everything. What would you do if you lost everything after daring to pursue your dream? For Santiago, the answer was clear: Once you’ve lost everything, there’s nothing left to fear.
- Instead of giving up, Santiago embraced his loss as the start of a new journey. It was this persistence that ultimately helped him move closer to his dream. The vast deserts and ongoing wars couldn’t deter him. He was unshakable, driven by his belief in his dream and his determination to achieve his treasure.
- By the end of the story, Santiago discovers that the treasure he had been searching for was always close by. Yet, without the journey, he would never have realized its value. The struggles, lessons, and self-discovery he experienced along the way were just as important as the treasure itself. Through Santiago’s story, Paulo Coelho reminds us that life is not just about reaching the destination—it’s about the journey. It’s on this journey that we uncover our true selves, our potential, and our capabilities. The experiences we gain along the way shape us and prepare us for every challenge life may throw at us.
What This Books Meant to Me
The Alchemist—I picked up this book as a fun reading activity, but the deeper I delved into its pages, the more I felt Santiago laughing at me. Santiago had begun his journey toward his dream, while I lay on my bed, merely thinking about the dreams I wished to achieve—without taking a single step, without enduring any struggle, and without risking failure.